Newcastle Animal Hospital is reporting the outbreak of a respiratory disease in dogs.
There have been multiple cases of canine influenza and Streptococcus zooepidemicus reported in local shelters and clinics, they state.
Clinical signs consist of respiratory symptoms such as nasal discharge, lethargy, coughing, fever, and eye discharge. Both influenza and streptococcus are spread extremely easily through aerosol and fomite contaminates (dog bowls, toys, bedding).
Newcastle Animal Hospital recommends limiting your dog’s exposure to other dogs, and avoiding dog parks and doggy daycare if possible.
The hospital is not letting any pets exhibiting respiratory symptoms in the clinic or for boarding. If your pet is exhibiting symptoms they will schedule you a car side appointment. They ask patrons to call from the car or come in without their pet to check in for these appointments.
Due to severity/contagiousness of these diseases the Newcastle Animal Hospital states that they are unable to hospitalize patients with acute symptoms.
If your pet has been diagnosed with the flu or is coughing you need to isolate your pet for three weeks and one week after resolution of symptoms, they state.
Patients are not currently required to get the canine influenza vaccine, but the hospital has ordered the vaccine and should have it soon if patrons would like to vaccinate their dogs.
